Apparatus for handling flat material



Oct. 27, 1936.' SEKULSKl APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL originalFiled sept. 24, 1951 8 sheets-sheet 1 :uvam-on LEE .SE K ULSKI 512, @MWLATTORNE YS Oct. 27,` 1936. l.. SEKULSKI 2,058,729

` APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL Oiginal Filed Sept. 24, 1951 8Sheets-Sheet 2 INvENToR LEE SEKUL-SKI AT' TOPNEYS Oct. 27,v 1936. L.sEKULsKl 2,058,729

' APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL Original Fild Sept. 24, 1931 8Sheets-Sheet 3 INvEN-ron LE .SEHULsm A'r-romwzys Ud 27, 1936- L.SEKULSKI APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL original Filed sept. 24,A1951 s sheets-sheet 4 0 mW b Oct. 27, 1936. L. sKULsKl 2,058,7?9

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL original Filed sept. 24, 1931 ssheets-sheet 5 LEE SEKUL-SKI I B/VMIJMM A TTORNSY 5 Oct. 27, 1936. L.sEKULsKlv 2,058,729

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING 'FLAT MATIAL Originall Filed Sept. 24, 1931 8Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENToH L EL; SEKULsm `l .F 8 v BM @d [lL/M ATTORN EVSOct. 27, 1936. L. sl-:KULsKl 2,058,729

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 24, 1951 8Sheets-SheerI 7 l5! '4L "e i I7 I6 las 56 4 I TRANSFER UNIT lasr \5INvsNToR LEE SEKULSKI B7 www ATTQRNEYS Oct-27, 1936. 1 sEKuLsKIAPPARATUS FOR HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL Original Filed Sept. 24, 1931 8Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Qct. 27, 1936 UNITED STATES'- 2,058,729APPARATUS FOR `HANDLING FLAT MATERIAL gsignor to City,

Appueeuen september 24, 1931, serial No. 564.830 Renewed July 2s, 193ssa calme. (or 214.-;1)

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for handling flatmaterial such, for example, as wall and building boards, and variousother sheet5 like articles.

5 In manufacturing plants where it is desired to increase the productionof their products by adding new manufacturing units, it frequentlyhappens that the building accommodations will not permit the setting ofthe machineryefor straight line production. In some eases groundspace'is not available to enlarge or lengthen the building.

In other cases there would be no economy in enlarging the building Viorthe purpose of installlng new units, if a means could be provided for wtransferring the product from one line toanother production linedisposed at right angles or 90 from the ilrst.A With this in mind, thepresent transfer unit was designed. It is particularly adapted forhandling fiat material such, for exple, as wall and building boards, andother sheet-like articles. An advantage ot this novel transfer unit isthat it can be for the d purpose oi selectively transferring articlesfrom a main line conveyor onto a production line situf 25 ated adjacentto one side of the transfer unit, or

the articles may be transferred onto a production line situated in linewith the main line conveyer for continuing production in a straightline. This will be more clearly defined in the following specidcation.

dn object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for handling datarticles coinprisinsv normal line of travel onto a suitable' receivingVmeans positioned adjacent to one side therefor, if desired, they may bedirected into a receiving means situated substantially in the line oftravel of the articles when fed into the unit. f

A further object is to provides. transfer unit particularlyapplicable-for use in the handling v of wet composition boards such asare used in the building trade, said unit being .adapted to receive thewet boards directly from the usual press through which the boards passfrom the forming machine, and transferring them onto the usualsuperposed tiers or racks of an ordinary drying oven, said unitcomprising means `whereby it may be operated to deliver the boards intoselected Vtiersmfxfacks of dryinggovens stationed at differentv"locations with' theretoi A further object is to provide-'a transferunit comprising' means for feeding the articleslength- 9. .wise thereoffor delivery into e suitable receiving i cles when received on saidunit. '5

A further'object is to provide such an apparatus including a verticallymovable latform or elevator comprising a plurality of ts adapted toreceive the boards or articles from a suitable feeding means, and aplurality of conveyer rollers dis- 10 posed substantially parallel tothe line of travel ofthe articles as they are delivered onto said belts,and means being provided whereby said conveyer belts may be renderedinoperative tor y feeding articles, and wherebysaid conveyerrollers 1'5will be made operative to laterally feed the arti' cles from theelevator.

A further object is to provide a transfer unit comprising a main`supporting trame having an elevator mounted therein and provided with anindependent operating motor, and a control mechanism being provided lorsaid motor coni-v prising a suitable selector switch situated at anoperators station and comprising a plurality oi switch buttons, one loreach elevation adapted to receive articles from elevator, whereby whenan article is delivered onto the elevator, the operator may manipulatethe switch button oi a selected station whereby the motor will operateto move the elevator to said selected elevation at which station it willautomatically come to rest, said unit also mi a plurality ci othercontrol buttons ior control the operational? other motors operatina' tofeed articles onto the elevator, and to actte the belts and conveyerrollers of the elevator.

Other objects oi the inventionreside in the cony struction of l'theelevator of the transfer unit whereby articles received thereon may bedis- 40 vcharged therefrom in a direction either lengthwise of theconveyer belts of the elevator or lin.

a direction transversely with respect to said belts; in the meansprovided for automatically interrupting the travel of articles deliveredonto the elevator; in the electrical control mechanism for I controllingthe operationV of the transfer unit;

in the means providedY for moving the conveyer belts of the elevatorinto and out of operative positions; in the means provided forautomatically limiting the vertical travel of the elevator; and in thegeneral construction of the apparatus. as a whole, and in theorganization of the various mechanisms whereby the'vperation oftheentire apparatus may be conveniently controlled from an operatorsstation. Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in theannexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings. there has been ,6,0

disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of theinvention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confinedto the exact features shown as various changes may be made within thescope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

' Figure 1 is a side elevation partially in section showing the elevatorin its normal load receiving position, and also showing thepower-operated feeding conveyer for delivering articles to the transferunit;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1 with some of the parts omitted;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional plan view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1,partially broken away to more clearly show the construction of theoperating mechanism;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View on the line 4-4 of Figure 3,showing the conveyer belts of the elevator in operative position;

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, showing theconveyer belts of the elevator in inoperative position;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 4, showing themeans for supporting the elevator;

Figure 'l is a detail sectional view on the line 1-1 of Figure 4,showing the conveyer belts of the elevator in operative positions;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view showing the control panels of theapparatus; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the connectionsbetween the control valve and the cylinders which control the operationof the conveyer belts of the elevator; Y

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the transfer unit situatedso as to be capable of delivering articles into two different receivingmeans or drying units;

Figure 11 is a wiring diagram diagrammatically' illustrating theelectrical connections between the various control instruments;

Figure l2 is an enlarged detail view diagrammatically illustrating oneof the sets of contacts employed in the selector switch used forcontrolling the operation of the elevator; and

Figure 13 is a wiring diagram illustrating the electrical connections ofthe motor which operates the conveyer belts of the elevator and otherelectrical instruments associated therewith.

To afford a clear explanation of the invention herein disclosed, thetransfer unit is shown used in connection with a press, such as iscommonly used in the manufacture of composition boards, and throughwhich the wet boards are passed for the purpose of removing the surplusWater or liquid therefrom. From the press, the wet boards are usuallydelivered to a drying oven comprising a plurality of superposedconveyers or tiers,*and the transfer unit herein disclosed readily lendsitself for use `to selectively transfer the wet boards from the pressonto the various tiers in the drier. As the press and drier form no partof the present invention, they are only diagrammatically illustrated inthe drawings.

In Figure 1, 2 represents the discharge end of a suitable press, and 3and 4 driers arrangedadjacent to the transfer unit, the latter beinggenerally indicated by the numeral 5, in Figure 10.

The transfer unit is shown comprising a struc; tural frame havinguprights 6 and 1 at the rev-l ceiving end thereof and similar uprights 8and 9 at the opposite end thereof. 'I'hese uprights are preferably ofangle iron cross section andare secured together at the receiving end ofthe unit by suitable cross members I2, and I3, and at the opposite endof the structure by similar cross members and |3. The upper ends of theuprights 6, 1, and 8, 9, are shown secured together lengthwise ofy` thestructure by suitable channels |5| 5, having cross members I6 interposedtherebetween, as shown in Figure 2. Suitable diagonal braces I1 areprovided at the corners of the structure, as shown. The lower portionsof the uprights 6, 1, and 8, 9, are secured together length- Wise of thestructure by suitable frame members I8 and I9, as shown in Figures 1, 6,and 8.

A vertically movable platform, hereinafter referred to as the elevator,is mounted in the structural frame above described, and comprises siderails 2| and 22 secured together at their ends by suitable cross members23, and at their intermediate portions by a cross member 24. The siderails 2|, 22, and cross members 23-23 and 24 cooperate to provide arectangularly shaped frame', as best shown in Figure 3.

The elevator frame is movably supported by suitable chains 25 mountedupon sprockets 26 and 21 provided at each end of the supporting frame,as best shown in Figures 1, 4, and 6. The sprockets 26 are supportedupon suitable cross shafts 28 mounted in suitable bearings provided atthe upper portion of the supporting frame, and the lower sprockets 21are similarly mounted upon cross shafts 29 suitably mounted in the lowerportion of the main supporting frame. The elevator frame is provided atAits corners with angle brackets 30 which are secured to links of thechains 25, as best shown in Figures 3 and 6. Thus, when the chainsareoperated by rotation of the sprockets 26 and 21, the elevator framewill be correspondingly operated.

'I'he means for operating the elevator chains 25 is best shown inFigures l and 2, and comprises a motor 3| mounted upon a platform 32supported between the intermediate cross members I6 at the upper portionof the main supporting frame. A suitable speed reducer 33, of ordinaryconstruction, is operatively connected with the motor through a flexiblecoupling 34. The shaft 35 of the speed reducer is connected at itsopposite ends with drive shafts 36-36 by suitable flexible couplings3131. are geared to the upper cross shafts 28 by suitable bevel gears 38and 39. The motor 3| is of The drive shafts 36v the reversible type sothat when operated in' one l direction, the elevator will ascend, andwhen operated in the opposite direction, it will descend. Suitablecounter-weights 4| are secured to cross beams 42 secured to the chains25. These counter-weights are arranged to travel between the uprights 6and 1 at one end of the main frame and between the uprights 8 and 9 atthe opposite end of the frame, and function to substantiallycounterbalance the weight of the elevator.

An important feature of the invention resides in the novel constructionof the elevator whereby articles or boards delivered thereto may belaterally discharged therefrom at a selected elevation or drier tier.Secured to the upper portions of the cross rails 23-23 and 24 of theelevator frame, are a plurality of longitudinally extending rails 43,44, 45, and 46, upon which are secured cross members 41 and 48. DCrossshafts 49 and 5| are mounted in suitable bearings 52-52 and 53-53,respectively, secured to the longitudinally extending rails 43, 44, 45,and 46, as best shown in Figures 3 and 6. A plurality of pulleys 54 aresecured to the cross shafts 49 and 5I and are spaced equidistant apartthereon, as best shown in Figure 3. Suitable conveyer belts 55 aremounted upon the pulleys 5l and are disposed lengthwise of the elevatorin spaced parallel rev' of conveyer rollers 51 mounted in suitable frameVdll, d5, and 46.

members 58 and adapted to be driven by a belt 59, the upper run of whichis held in frictional contact with the lower portions of the conveyerrollers 51 by means of suitable rollers 6|. The belt 59 is driven by amotor 62 operatively connected therewith by a suitable speed reducer 83and chain drive 64. One end of the feeding conveyer 56 may be supportedupon the uprights 6-5 of the main supporting-frame of the transfer unit,andthe gpposite end thereof directly upon the frame of the press, asillustrated in Figure 1.

In order to laterally discharge the boards or articles from the elevatorinto a tier of the drier 8, a plurality of longitudinally extendingrollers t5 are mounted upon the cross rails dl and d8 secured to thelongitudinally extending rails 08,

These rollers are arranged between the conveyer belts 55, as shown inFigures 3 and 7, and are all operatively connected together for rotationin one direction by means of a suitable chain t5 engaging a sprocket 6lprovided at one end of each roller. Suitable idler sprockets 88 hold theupper section of the chain in engagement with the teeth oi' thesprockets 6l. Other idler sprockets 58 guide the lower run of the chainover the rails M, d5, and it, and also prevent the lower run of thechain from engaging the teeth of the sprockets' 60. i

The drive chain 65 of the rollers t5 is driven by a sprocket 'll securedto a short shaft 'it mounted in suitable bearings l0 and lid, and

having a beveled `gear drive 'l5 connecting it. with a speed'reducer 'itof ordinary construction. The speed reducer 'it is connected by a,flexible coupling 'il to a motor 'itl which preferably is adapt-l ed forcontinuous operation so that the rollers 65 will rotate continually.

The conveyer belts are "driven by a motor la similar to the motor i8 andhave a flexible coupling 8| connecting it With a speed reducer 82connected by afexible coupling 83 to oneend of the shaft 5| upon whichthe pulleys 54 at one end ofthe elevator are secured. The motors 10 and19 are mounted upon suitable plates or platforms 84 and 85 secured tothe rectangular fmme of the elevator. f A B To render 'the'conveyerrollers 65 of the elevator operable to laterally discharge a board fromthe elevator, means are provided for lowering the upper runs of theconveyer belts 55 beneath the upper portions of the peripheries of therollers 65 so that the weight of the board will be transferred from thebelts 55 directly onto the peripheries of the rollers 65, whereby'theboard will be discharged laterally from the elevator.

The means provided for thus actuating the conveyer belts 55 is bestshown in Figures4, 5,

y and '7, and comprises a plate 86 mounted for relative verticalmovement upon the elevator in suitableA guides 81 secured to thelongitudinally extending rails 43 and 46. Depending studs 88 are securedto the plate 86 at the corners thereof and are sudably supported 1n theguides a1. Y

(See Figures 4 and 5.) Supported upon the plate 86, directly beneath theupper run of each belt 55, are a plurality of snub rollers 89 supportedby suitable channels 8| secured to the plate 88. When the plate is inthe position shown in Figu're 4, the snub rollers 89 will be inengagement with the'upper runs of the belts 55 and will support them inthe elevated positions shown in ,Figures 4 and 7, wherein it will benoted that a dotted line's in Figure 5, whereby it will be later- I allydischarged from the elevator.

o The means for actuating they plate 86 is shown comprising a pair ofrock shafts 82, mounted in suitable bearings 90 secured to the rails d8,dt,

u 85, and d6, as shown in Figure 7. Crank arms 93 are secured to theshafts 92 and are connected by links @il to angle brackets 95, securedto the bottom of the plate 86. Depending arms 95 are also secured to therock shaft 88 and have their lowerends pivotally connected, together bya suitable connection dl, .whereby the arms 06 are disposed insubstantially parallel relation. The connection 0l is preferably forkedat one end, as

shown at @8 in Figure 3, whereby the arms 86 secured to the rock shaft82 adjacent to the receiving end of the elevator, will be spaced `apartas shown in Figures Brand 7. Connecting links d@ connect the forked endof the connection @l with a cross head |109 mounted for reciprocalmovement between guides Mit interposed between two cylinders i103 and|100, secured to a pair oi channels' H15 which, in turn, are secured atone end to a member it, and at their opposite ends to the cross member23 at the receiving end of the elevator frame. Pistons imi and |08 aremounted in the cylinders '|03 and it, respectively, and are operativelyconnected with the cross head'lllll by suitable piston rods 09.

The pistons i017 and H08 may be operated from a suitable pressure fluidsuch as'comp'ressed air. A pipeilii conneptsthe head of the cylinder |08with an outlet im of a suitable control valve H8, best shown in Figures8 and 9. 'Ihe cylinder |04 has a pipe lill connecting it with an outletH5 of thevalve M3. A pipe H6 leads from the valve H8 to a suitablesource of fluid pressure, Vnot shown.` In Figure 9, the valve |I|3 isdiagrammatically illustrated asl having at its upperportionan exhaustport ill. 'Ihe valve is shownhaving 4a rotor H8 provided withsuitableducts H9 and' |2| capable of establishing communication between thepipesI il, H4, and ||8 connected with the valve casing |20. The valve H3 hasa suitable operating lever |22 whereby upon a suitable xed support, notshown in the drawings. Because of the cylinders |03 and |04 beingmounted upon the frame of the elevator so as to move therewith, thepipes connecting thev through the drier.

cylinders with the valve are provided with suitable flexibleconnections, or swivel joints, which may be of any suitableconstruction, and it is therefore thought unnecessary to show the samein the drawings.

By manipulation of the control lever |22 of the valve ||3, the pistons|01 and |08 will be caused to reciprocate in their respective cylinderswith the result that the rock shafts 92 Will be operated, whereby thecrank arms 93 will, because of their connections with the plate 86,supporting the snub rollers 89, raise or lower the upper runs of theconveyer belts 55, depending upon the direction of movement of thepistons |01 and |08.

' When the pistons are in the positions shown in Figures 4 and 9, theupper runs of the conveyer belts 55 will be elevated so as to causearticles delivered onto the elevator to be supported directly upon thebelts 55. When the elevator reaches the selected elevation, it willautomatically come to rest, as will subsequently be described, and theoperator then manipulates the valve I3 so as to cause the air in thecylinder |03 to be expelled therefrom through the exhaust ||1 of thevalve, while, at the same time, fluid pressure is admitted into thecylinder |04 against the piston |08, thereby causing the cross head tomove in a direction towards the left, when viewed as shown in Figures 4and 9, resulting in the lowering of the belts 55 to the positions shownin Figure 5. Such movement of the cross head will actuate the rockshafts 92 to the positions shown in Figure 5, wherein it will be notedthat the article or board will be supported directly upon the conveyerrollers 65, because of the upper runs of the belts 55 being positionedbeneath the vupper portions of the peripheries of said rollers.

The lower run of each conveyer belt 55 is guidingly supported uponsuitable idlers |24 secured to the bottom of the plate 86, and each beltis provided with a suitable counter-weight |25, each having a sheave |26received in a depending loop |21 of its respective belt, as best shownin Figures 4 and 5. These counter-weights retain the conveyer belts 55at a uniform tension, regardless of Whether they are in a raised orlower position. If necessary, suitable means, not shown, may be providedfor guiding the weights |25 and sheaves |26 in their up-and-downmovements.

Another feature of this invention resides in the novel control meansprovided for controlling the operation of the elevator, whereby articlesdelivered thereto may be raised or lowered to a selected elevation anddischarged from the elevator either in a lengthwise direction therefromor laterally therefrom, as may be desired. As herei-nbefore stated, thetransfer unit is particularly applicable for use in connection with aboard press and one or more driers, which driers are usually providedwith a plurality of superposed tiers or conveyers so that articles orboards delivered onto said tiers will be' carried slowly These driersare of ordinary and well-known construction and it is therefore thoughtunnecessary to show the same in detail. Portions of the driers arediagrammatically indicated in Figures 1 and 10, and each is shown ascomprising eight tiers.

The novel control mechanism employed in connection with the transferunit comprises a plurality of electrical instruments and mechanisms ofwell-known construction, so organized and inl terconnected with theoperating mechanism of the transfer unit as to provide avery simple andpractical control mechanism which may b e conveniently operated by anattendant stationed at the control station |23.

As hereinbefore stated, the conveyer rollers 65 of the ,elevator areoperated by the motor 18, which, when the transfer unit is in operation,operates continually. The conveyer belts 55 operate intermittently, andare driven by the motor 19 shown at the lower right hand corner ofFigure 3. Means are provided for automatically stopping the motor 19when a board has been delivered onto the elevator from the feedingconveyer 56, and is here shown as consisting f a stop switch |28supported upon an overhanging bracket |29 secured to the rail 46 of theelevator frame, as best shown in Figure 7. The switch |28 has aswingable arm |3| provided with a roller |32 adapted to be engaged by aboard being conveyed onto the belts 55, as will be clearly understood byreference to Figure 1. The arm |3I carries a movable contact |33normally engaged with a fixed contact |34 having a wire |35 connectingit with one side of a manually operable stop switch |36, which may be ofthe push button type and is normally closed, as shown in Figure 13. Awire |31 connects the opposite side of the stop switch |36 with one sideof a starter switch |38, also of the push button type, and whichnormally is in open position, as shown. A wire |39 leads from the wire|31 to. a movable contact |4| adapted to engage a fixed contact |42having a wire |43 connecting it with the opposite side oi the starter.

switch |38. A wire |44 connects the starter switch |38 with one side ofa solenoid coil |45, having a wire |46`connecting the opposite endthereof with the conductor |49 of a main line circuit as shown in Figure13. A wire connects the conductor |48 of the main line circuitrespectively, by means of an actuator |58 connected with the movablecontacts I4| and |53 and |55, and adapted to be actuated by the solenoidcoil |45 when the latter is energized. The

actuator is normally retained in the switch open' ing position shown inFigure 13 by suitable means such as a spring or by gravity.

The fixed contact |51 of the motor switch |54 is connected to the mainline conductor |49 by a wire |6|,'and the fixed contact |58 of theswitch has a wire |62 connecting it with one end of a brake coil |63,the opposite end of which is connected by a wire |64 to the main lineconductor |48. A gap |65 is provided in the wire |62 adapted to bebridged by a member |66 operable by means of a relay coil |61. One endof the coil |61 is connected by a wire |68 to the wire |46 leading fromthe solenoid |45 to the main line conductor |49. The opposite end of thecoil |61 has a wire |69 connecting it with the end of the solenoid" |45to which the wire |44 is connected. Y

The brake coil |63 is adapted to actuate a magnetic brake whichcomprises a drum |1| secured to a shaft extension |12 of the speedreducer 82, as indicated in Figure 3. This magnetic brake is of ordinarywell-known construction, and comprises oppositely disposed brake ingposition, which, in the present instance, is

at elevation No. 3, the board will be fed onto the conveyer belts 55 ofthe elevator by the feeding conveyer 56. Before the board is deliveredonto the elevator, however, the operator will push the starter button|38. whereupon the solenoid coil is energized, therebycausing themovable switch contacts |4|, |53, and |55 us w111 not be interruptedwhen the beard actuates the switch |28. 'I'he operation of the conveyerbelts may be interrupted at vany time 'by depression of the stop switch|36. For convenience, the switches |36, |38, and |18 are mounted in asuitable block |19 secured to a control panel to move into electricalconnection with their re-l spective iixed contacts, resulting in themotor` starting. As soon as the contact |4| engages the contact |42, a.holding circuit for the actuator |59 is established through the contactsi |4| and |42, wires |43 and |44, solenoid coil |45, and wire|46,connected with the main line conductor |49, thence from theconductor |48, through the wire |5l, contacts |33 and |34, wire |35,

stop switch |36, wire |39, and back to the mov able contact |4|; At thesame time, current ow is established through the coil |61, by reason ofone end thereof being connected wltiLthe wire |46 by the wire |68, andthe opposite end thereof being connected. by the wire |69 to the wire|44. l

Energization of coil |61 will actuate the member |66 to close the gap inthe wire |62, whereupon the magnetic brake coil |63 will be con- ,nectedin series with the motor and will operate to release the magnetic brakesimultaneously as the motor is started The motor will continue tofunction until the leading end of the board engages the stop switch |28and thereby breaks the circuit'to the solenoid |45, causing the motorswitch |54 to open. At the same insta-nt, the supply of current to therelay coil |61 4 and brake coil |63 is cut oil. It will thus be seenthat the stop switch |28 may be actuated by each board deliveredv ontothe elevator,l whereby the conveyer belts 55 are automaticallyinterrupted. Operation ofthe conveyer belts 55 may also be interrupted'by manipulation of the manually opyerable stop switch |36; Under normaloperating conditions, and particularly when handling composition boardsor other` sheet material, the operator need not manipulate the stopswitch` |36, the motor circuit being automatically opened by the boardsengaging and actuating the stop switch |28.

In Figure 10, the transfer unit is shown interposed between the boardpress 2 and the driers 3 and 4. When thus used, means are provided forrendering the stop switch |28 inoperative, so that when the operatordesires to'discharge a board from the elevator into one of the tiers-of'drier v 4, situated at the end of thev transfer^unit, the

conveyer belts 55 may continue to function. To thus render the stopswitch |28. inoperative, a suitable switch |18, which may 'be oi thepush button type, is connected across the contacts of the stop switch|28 s that when a board is to be discharged into one ofthe tiers of thedrier 4,

the operator will manipulate the switch |18 and close it, whereuponcurrent ow` to the solenoid 8|, mounted on the main supporting frame ofizle structure adiacentto the operatorls station The motor 18 whichoperates the conveyer rollers 65 of the elevator is provided withstarting and stopping switches |82 and |63, respectively, mounted upon ablock |84 similarly secured to the control panel |8|. The motor 18 maybe operated continuously during operationl of the transfer unit, and itis therefore thought unneces-` sary to show the circuit to this motor indetail, it being an ordinary well-known circuit. In like manner, thecircuit to the motor 62 is oi' wellknown construction and is providedwith starting and stopping switches |35 and |86, respectively, mountedin a block |81 secured to the 'control panel |8I, as shown in Figures 2and 8.

The means for controlling the vertical travel oi" the conveyer isdiagrammatically illustrated in Figures 8, 11, and l2, and'comprises anordinary well-known selector switch |88 of the rotary type.

diagrammatlcally illustrated inA Figure 8, and

shown comprising a shaft |89 having a suitable pulley or wheel |9|mounted thereon. The selector switch may be supported upon a suitablesupporting frame |90, as shown. A flexible element |92 such, forexample. as a steel band or cable is coiled about the pulley 9| and hasone end passing downwardly beneath an idler pulley |93 secured to thelower portion of the main supporting frame of the transfer unit andhaving its end portion connected with the frame of the elevator formovement therewith. A suitable tension spring |94 may be interposedbetween the end portion |95 oi the flexible element |92 and theelelyator frame to allow for variations, and whereby the element will bekept taut. The opposite end portion |96 of the iiexible element passesaround a guide sheave |91 secured to the main frame oi the structure andmay be secured to one of the counter-weights 4| by means of a suitablespring |98. By thus connecting the ends of the ilexible element to theelevator frame and counterweights, rotary motion will be`imparted to theshaft |99 of the selector switch |89, when the elevator is operated, aswill readily be understood by reference to Figure 8. The element or belt|92 is engaged with the pulley |8| in such a manner as to preventslippage.

V In Figure 12, there is diagrammatically i|lustrated a portion of themechanism of the selector switch |88, showing the contacts of oneelevation. In the present instance, these contacts represent those ofelevation No. 3 which, as shown in Figures vl and 8, is the normalloading station oi.' the elevator. When the elevator. is in its normalload receiving position, the mechanism of the selector switch pertainingto that particular station will be positioned substantially as shown vtact 284, adapted to be moved into and out of electrical engagement withxed contacts 285 and 206, as will be understood by reterencefto Figure12.4 The above described switch: mechanism is so connected with theelevator thatas soon las the latter leaves elevation No. 3, either in anupward or a downward direction, the movable contact 204 willelectrically engage with one of the two contacts 205 and 206, dependingupon the direction of movement of the elevator. As hereinbefore stated,the selector switch |88 is of ,wellknown construction, and it istherefore believed unnecessary to further describe the constructionthereof, it being understood that the selector switch comprises asimilar set of contacts for each elevation. These are diagrammaticallyillustrated in Figure 11.

As the electrical connections between the switch contact lever 202 andthe parts associated therewith are of similar construction at eacheievation, it will be necessary to describe but one such set ofconnections, the like parts of each of the eight elevations here shownbeing referred to by like numerals.

A wire 201 connects contact 204 with one end of a relay coil 208, theopposite end of which is connected to a terminal 209 of a movablecontact 2|I. 'I'he contact 21| is normally in open position and isadapted to engage a fixed contact 2|2 when the relay 208 is energized. Awire 2|3 connects the fixed contact 2|2 with a wire 2|4, one end ofwhich is connected to a iixed contact 2|5 of a down limit switch 2|6having a movable contact 2|1 normally engaged with the xed contact 2|5.The down limit switch 2|6 has an arm 2|8 provided with a roller 2|9positioned in the path of the frame of the elevators so that, in theevent that the elevator inv its downward movement, accidentally passesbeyond station No. 1, the switch 2|6 will be opened, resulting in thecurrent supply to the motor 3| being cut ofi', as will subsequently bedescribed. A wire 22| connects the movable contact 2|1 of the down limitswitch 2|6 to the main line conductor |49. A wire 226 connects themovable contact 2|| of the relay 208 with a terminal 221 of a starterswitch 228, comprising four terminals 221, 229, 23| and 232. Theterminals 229 and 23| of each switch are connected together by a wire233, and a movable bridge member 234 operable by means of a push button235, normally bridges the gap between the contacts 23| and 232. When thepush button 235 is actuated, the member 234 will move out of electricalengagement with the terminals 23| and 232 and may bridge the gap betweenthe terminals 221 and 229 of the switch, as will readily be understoodby reference to Figure 11. The terminals 232 and 229 of adjacentswitches are connected by wires 236 as shown. The push buttons 235 ofthe selector switch |88 are shown mounted in asuitable block |80 securedto the control panel |8|. See Figures 1 and 8.

The ilxed contacts 205 and 206 of each selector switch are connected bywires 231 and 238 to wires 239 and 24|, respectively. These wires 239and 24|, as shown in Figure 1, are common to the fixed contacts 205 and206 of the selector switch and, in like manner, the wire 2|4 is commonto the ilxed contacts of the relay coils 208.

The wire 239 is connected to one end of a relay coil 242, the oppositeend of which has a wire 243 connecting it with a terminal 244 of anemergency stop switch 245, having a second terminal 246 spaced from theterminal 244, as shown. 'Ihe gap between the terminals 244 and 246 isnormally closed by the member- 241, as shown. A wire 248 connects theterminal 246 of the em'ergency stop switch 245 with a fixed contact 249of an up limit switch 25|, having a movable contact 252 adapted to beactuated by an arm 253 carrying a roller 254 normally positioned in thepath of the elevator frame, as will be noted by reference to Figure l.The up limit switch 25|, like the down limit switch 2|6, is normallyclosed and is actuated only in the event that the elevator accidentallyover runs or passes beyond elevation 8. A wire 255 connects the movablecontact 252 of the up limit switch 25| with the main line conductor |48.-The relay 242 is connected to the wire 239 of the selector switch, asabove described and is in the up circuit and a similar relay 251 has oneend thereof connected with the wire 24| which is in the down circuit.The opposite end of the relay coil 251 is connected to a wire 243 by awire 258. The relays 242 and 251 each have a fixed contact 259 connectedby wires 26| to the wire 2|4, and each has a movable contact 262 adaptedto be moved into electrical connection with the fixed contacts 259 whenthe relay coils 242 and 251 are energized. The movable contact 262 ofthe relay 242 has a wire 263 connecting it with the terminal 264 of asolenoid coil 265, the opposite terminal 266 of which is connected by awire 261 to the terminal 268 of a solenoid 269. The terminal 21| of thesolenoid 269 has a Wire 212 connecting it with the movable contact 262of the relay 251.

The motor 3|, the operation of which is controlled by the selectorswitch |88 hereinbefore described, is'of the direct current reversibletype, and comprises a pair of conductors 213 and 214 connecting thearmature winding thereof with a pair of movable contacts 215 and 216,respectively, of a motor control switch 211. This control switch furthercomprises a pair of xed contacts 218 and 219 adapted to be engaged bythe movable contacts 215 and 216, respectively, when the switch isclosed. The movable contacts of the switch 211 are connected together byan actuator 20| operatively associated with the solenoid coil 265 sothat when the latter is energized, the actuator will be operated toclose the motor. switch 211. The fixed contact 218 is con nected to themain line conductor |48 by a wire 282 and the fixed contact 219 has awire 283 connecting it with one side of a solenoid coil |63 of amagnetic brake of the type shown and described with reference to .Figure13. The other end of the solenoid |63 is connected by a wire 284 to themain line conductor |49, as shown. A gap 285 is provided in the wire 283adapted to be bridged by a member 286 operable by means of a winding281, having oneend thereof eleca wire 291 connected at one end to amovable contact 298 and having its opposite end connected to a terminal299 spaced from the terminal 294 and adapted to be bridged by a member30| which normally is in circuit-closing position and is adapted to beactuated by the relay 29|. A suitable resistance 302 is interposed inthe wire 291 for the purpose of imposing la resistance in the motorcircuit. This resistance functions when Athe current supply to the motorhas been cut of?,

and the motor continues to rotate after deenerto function as agenerator, and thereby forces a current through the resistor 302. Thisacts to A retard the action of the motor and thus aids in bringing themotor to a quick stop. 'Ihe relay 281 has one end connected by a wire303 to a wire 304 which, in turn, connects the wire 248 with the wire261. The movable contacts 295 and 298 ot the motor switch 305 areadapted to electrically engage a'pair of xed contacts 306 and 301,respectlvely. The movable contacts 298 and 295 are operatively connectedtogether by an actuator 308 adapted to be actuated by the solenoid 260.

A movable contact 309 is also connected with the actuator 308 and isadapted to engage a fixed contact 3| I having awire 3|2 connecting itwith a fixed contact 3|3 adapted to be electrically engaged with amovable contact 3|.2, operativelyconnected with the actuator 26| andelectrically connected to the wire 289 which also is connected to themovable contact 309. 'Ihe movable Vcontacts 216 and 298 of the motorswitches 212 and 305 are electrically connected together by a wire SI5.A

` Operation;

In the operation of this novel apparatus when used for handlingcomposition boards or flat material or articles, as shown in the presentinstance, the lwall boards are delivered from the press onto the feedingconveyer 56 which, as hereinbefore stated, is of the power driven type.The switchy buttons |65 and |66 control the operation of the feedingconveyer 56. When a board is delivered onto the feeding conveyer, theoperator depresses theswitch button |85, thereby closing the circuit tothe motor 62 with the result that the rollers 5| of the feeding conveyerwill be operated to feed the board onto the conveyer belts 55 ofthe-elevator, it being understood that the elevator is at rest atelevation No. 3, shown in Figures i and 8.

Before the board is f ed onto the conveyer belts 55, however, theoperator depresses the switch button |82, thereby starting the motor 25,which operates the'belts 55. '-,When the board has been feed onto thebelts 55er the elevator, said belts will subsequently be interrupted byreason of the leading edge of the board engaging the roller |32 andthereby breaking the circuit to the solenoid |45, whereupon the motorswitch |54 is opened. Assuming that the board is to be delivered ontothe upperl elevatign or tier No. 8 of drier 3, the operator will depressthe push button 235 of the i selector switch |88, corresponding toelevation No 8, whereby the circuit tothe motor 3| is closed,

thereby causing the elevator to ascend to elevation No. 8 where it willautomatically come to rest Vbecause of the contact lever 204 disengaglngthe ilxed contact 205 of elevation No. 8, when the elevator reaches saidelevation. v

When the elevator comes to rest at elevation No. 8, the operator willmanipulate the leverA |22 of the control'valve l I3 so as to cause thepressure fluid to be delivered into the cylinder |02, wherebythecross-head is moved from thepositlon shown in Figures 4 and 9, tothat shown in Figure 5, thereby lowering the upper runs of the conveyerbelts 55 to the positionsshown .in Figure 5. so that the board will besupported directly upon the conveyer rollers 65,` as indicated by thedottedv lines in Figure 5. As soon' as the board. engages theperipheries of the rollers 65, it will be laterally v discharged fromthe elevator into the upper tier No. 8 of drier 3,1t being understoodthat the rollers 65'are preferably driven continually by the motor 18.

The circuit controlling the operation of the motor 3| when raising theelevator, operates in the following manner: When the elevator is -in itsnormal load receiving position, at elevation No.` 3, the contact lever204 of the selector switch |88 will be positioned midway between the twocontactors 205 and 206, as shown in Figures 11 and l2, out of electricalengagement therewith. All of the contact levers 204 of the elevationsNos. 4 to 8, inclusive, will be in electrical connection with the xedcontacts 205, while the contact levers 202 of elevations Nos. l and 2,below the normal loading position of the elevator will be in electricalconnection with the rlxed contacts 206, as illustrated in the wiringdiagram, Figure ll. It will also be noted that the movable contacts 2||of the relays 228 are out of electrical contact with their complementaryxed contacts 2|2. When the operator depresses the push button 235 of theselector switch |58, corresponding to elevation No. 8, the member 234 ofthat particular switch 228 will bridge the gap between the contacts 22|and 225, thereby connecting the relay 228 with the main line conductor|29 as follows: From the conductor through the wire/22| and contacts2|`| and 2|5 of the down limit switch 2 |6, v

which normally are in closed4 position; through the wire 2|2 to acontact 2|5 interposed inthe wire 2|4, and thence through the wire3|| tothe contact 22S-,of the lower switch 228, as shown in the lowerleft-hand corner of Figure ll.

Because of the members 232 of the switches 222 normally being inelectrical connection with the contacts 23| and 282 thereof, currentwill now from the terminal 3|6 through the wire 3|'| and through all ofthe switches 228 which normally are connected in series as shown.Because of the switch member 222 of the upper switch 225 bridging thegap between the contacts 22| and.

229, the current will ilow through the wire 226 to the relay 222 ofelevation No. 8, thence through 'wir'e' 232, relay 222, wire 222, andthrough the contacts of the emergency' stop switch. 225, which normallyis'in'closed position; thence through the wire 242 and contacts 222 and252 of the up limit switch 25|, which contacts also are normally inclosed position. From the movable contact 252 of theup limit switch 25|,the current iiows through the wire 255 and back to the main lineconductor |28, thereby completing the circuit. The closing oi the abovedescribed circuit will cause the relay 222 to become energized,whereupon the movable contact 262 thereof is moved into electricalconnection with thelxed contact 255 thereof, which results in thecompletion of a circuit through the solenoid 255, which operates theactuator and causes the'motor switch 2'|'| to be closed.

The circuit through the solenoid 265 is as follows: From the main lineconductor |22, through the wire 22| and contacts 2| and 2|5 of the downlimit switch 2|6, Wires 2|2 and 25|, through the contacts 255and 262. ofthe relay 222 which, as hereinbefore stated, arev in closed position,through the wirev 268 to the terminal 252 of the solenoid 265, thencefrom the terminal 266 of the solenoid, through the wires 262 and 322ductor |48, thereby completingthe circuit through the solenoid 265,resulting in the closing of the motor switch 211.

Simultaneously, as the motor switch 211 is closed, the movable contact3|4, which is connected to the actuator 28|, will engage the contact 3|3whereby current will be supplied to the relays 281 and 29|, asl follows:From the main line conductor |49, the current will flow through the wire22|, down limit switch 2|6, wire 2|4 and through a portion of the wire3|2 to the fixed contact 3|3; thence through the movable contact 3|4,wires 289 anu 288, through the coils 281 and 29|, because of the latterbeing electrically con-` nected in parallel with the wire 248, which, inturn, is electrically connected with the conductor |48 of the other sideof the main line by reason of the wire 255 and closed up limit switch25|. Energization of the relay 281 will cause the member 286 to closethe gap in the wire 283, thereby completing the motor circuit, whereuponthe motor will immediately function. Simultaneously, as the motorcircuit is completed, the solenoid |63 of the magnetic brake will beenergized to release the brake and at the same time, the resistance 302shunted across the terminals of the motor will be cut out of the circuitbecause of the member 30| of the relay 29| opening the circuit throughthe resistance 302. The motor will then continue to function until theelevator reaches the upper tier or elevation No. 8, whereupon themovable contact 204 of the selector switch will move into neutralposition, as shown in Figure 12, wherebyl the circuit through the relay208 will be broken, causing deenergization of the solenoid 265, with theresult that the motor switch 211 is automatically opened.

Simultaneously, as the switch 211 is opened, the

current supply to the relays 281 and 29| and sole- 'tor switch will moveinto electrical engagement with the fixed contacts 206, with theexception of the contact 204 of the uppermost selector switch 228, whichwill remain in neutral position until the elevator starts its downwardmovement whereupon each of the contacts 204 above the elevator willassume positions in electrical engagement with their complementary fixedcontacts 205.

To return the elevator to a lower elevation as, for example, its normalload receiving position or elevation No. 3, shown in Figures 1 and 8,the operator depresses the push button of elevation No. 3, whereupon therelay 208 of that elevation will become energized, because of thecontact lever 204 of the selector switch being in engagement with thexed contact 206, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 1i, therebyclosing the circuit through the relay 251 whereby the circuit is closedthrough the solenoid 269 of the motor switch 305. This circuit is asfollows: From the main line conductor |49, through the wire 22|,contacts 2|2 and 2|5 of the down limit switch 2|6, through a portion ofthe wire 2|4, wire 26|, through the closed contacts of the relay 251.thence through the wire 212 to the terminal 21| of the solenoid 269,from .the terminal 268 of the solenoid, through a portion of the wirey261, wire 304 anda portion of the wire 248, through the closed contactsof the up limit switch 25|; and

thence through the wire 255 and back to the main line conductor |48.Such energization of the solenoid 269 will operate the actuator 308 toclose the contacts of the motor switch 305 and, because of the contacts309 and 3| being closed simultaneously as the contacts of the motorswitch 305 is closed, the relays 281, 29|, and brake coil |63simultaneously become energized as described with reference to the motorswitch 211, thereby causing the elevator to descend to elevation No. 3.The motor 3| controlling the operation o1" the elevator is of thereversible type, as hereinbefore stated, and the switch 211 causes themotor to rotate in a direction to raise the elevator, and closing of theswitch 305 causes the motor to operate to lower the elevator.

The emergency stop switch 245 provides means whereby the operator mayinterrupt vertical movement of the elevator at any time should it becomenecessary. By opening this switch, the supply of current to thesolenoids 269 and 265 is cut off, whereby the motor control switch 211or A305 which may have been closed, will return to its normalcircuit-opening position as shown in Figure 11. I'he circuits throughthe solenoids 265 and 269 are so related that but one can be energizedat a time. The operation of the motor control switches 211 and 305 iscontrolled by manipulation of the push buttons 235 of the selectorswitch |88 mounted upon the raised control panel From the foregoing, itwill readily be understood that by the use of the novel transfer unitherein disclosed in connection with a composition board press and one ormore driers, into which the wet boards are to be transferred from thepress, the operator will have complete control of the transferring ofthe boards from the press to the various tiers of the driers, bymanipulation of the controls provided at the control station |23. Whilein the specification, the apparatus has been described as used forhandling wet composition boards, it is to be understood that it may beused for various other materials of a fiat nature as, for example,insulating material, asbestos, gypsum, sheets or blocks of corkinsulation, metal sheets, and also articles conveyed in tote pans ortrays which may be delivered into the tires or racks of such units asdriers and annealing furnaces, and so forth. The limit switches 2|6 and25| provide means for preventing overrunning of the elevator at itsextreme lower and upperelevations, and the limit switch |28 providesmeans for automatically interruptingr movement of theconveyer belts 55,when a board is delivered ontothe elevator from the feeding conveyer 56.By means of the switch |18, the stop switch |28 may be renderedinoperative so that should the operator desire to deliver a board intoone of the tiers of the drier 4, he will depress the switch |18 afterthe elevator has come to rest at the selected elevation and the motor 19has been started by closing the switch |38, whereupon the conveyer belts55 will be operated to deliver the board into the selected tier of drier4, regardless of the limit switch |28. When the board has been deliveredinto the selected tier of the drier 4, the operator will interruptfurther operation of the belts 55 by opening the switch |36. It willthus be seen that an opl I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operating meanstherefor, means for feeding articles Ato the elevator, lspaced-apartconveyer belts on the elevator movable in the direction of movement ofarticles fed thereto and -adapted to receive articles from said feedingmeans, means also on the elevator normally positioned beneath the upperportions of said belts and capable of laterally discharging articlestherefrom, means for interrupting movement of the elevator at apredetermined elevation and iluidoperated means for causing an articleto be transferred from said belts onto said discharging means to`thereby laterally discharge the article from the elevator at saidpredetermined elevation.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operating meansfor the elevator,'means for feeding articles thereto, conveyer means onthe elevator adapted to convey articles in a direction lengthwisethereof, a second conveyer means on the elevator adapted to conveyarticles in a direction crosswise thereof, and fluid-operated means forimparting relative vertical movement to one of said conveyer means tothereby transfer an article from one conveyer means to the other.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operating meanstherefor, means for feeding articles thereto, conveyer belts on theelevator Vmovable in the direction of movement o f articles fed theretoand adapted tov receive articles from said feeding means, means fordriving said belts. a plurality of rollers longitudinally disposedbetween said belts and adapted for constant rotation, said rollersvnormally being positioned below the upper portions of said belts, andrfluid-operated means for relatively lowering said belts whereby anarticle supported thereon will be transferred onto said rollers to belaterally discharged from the elevator,` c

4. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operatingmeanstherefor, a plurality of elevations adapted to receive articles fromsaid elevator, means for stopping the elevator at a selected elevation,means for feeding articles to the elevator. conveyer belts on theelevator-dis? 'A posed lengthwise thereof and adapted to receivearticles from said feeding means, means for interrupting operation ofsaid conveyer belts when an article is delivered onto the elevator, apluralityof longitudinally extending conveyer rollers arranged betweensaidconveyer belts and normally' out of engagement with an articlesupported thereon, and means whereby said conveyer belts .may beactuated to cause an article supported thereon to be transferreddirectly onto said conveyerrollers, when the elevator comes to pluralityof longitudinally extending conveyer rollers arranged between saidconveyer belts andr normally out of engagement with an article suptosaid framecomprising'a plurality of elevations each adapted to receivearticles from said elevator, a control mechanism for said motorcomprising two main Vswitches and a plurality Aof selector switches, onefor each elevation of said receiving means, said selector switches beingelectrically connected with said main switches and adapted to causeeither one or the other of said main switches to close, when one of saidselector switches is actuated, whereby the motor willoperate to move theelevator to the-elevation corresponding to said actuated selectorswitch, regardless of the vertical position of the elevator, and meansfor independently controlling said conveying means.

7. An apparatusof the class described, comprising a frame, an elevatormounted therein, a plurality of conveyer means on the elevator arrangedto discharge articles therefrom in diEerent directions, a motor-forvertically moving the elevator, receiving means adjacent to said framecomprising aplurality of elevations, each adapted toreceivearticles fromthe elevator, a control mechanism for said motor comprising a. pluralityof selector switches, one for each elevation of said receiving means,circuits electrically connecting said-motor with said selector switches,means for causing said motor to operate and move the elevator to aselected elevation, when a certain selector switch is actuated, meansfor automati cally interrupting operation of the motor. when vtheelevator reaches said selected elevation, and

means for independently controlling said conveying means.

8. An apparatus of the class described, 'comy prising a frame,an'elevator mounted therein, a plurality of conveyer means on'theelevator ar- ,ranged to discharge articles therefrom in diilerentdirections, a reversible motor for vertically moving the elevator, aplurality of receiving means adjacent to said frame each comprising aplurality of vertically disposed tiers, each adapted to receivearticles'from the elevator, a control mechanism for said motorcomprising two,main switches and a plurality of selector switches, onefor each elevation of said receiving means, circuits electricallyconnecting the motor switches with said selector switches, means causingsaid motor to operate and move the elevator to a selected elevation,when a certain selector switch is actuated, means for automaticallyinterrupting operation of the motor when the ele-- vvator reaches saidselected elevation, and manually operable means for independentlycontrolling said conveying means, when the elevator is positioned at theselected elevation.

9. A transfer unit comprising a frame having an elevator mountedtherein, receiving means adjacent to said unit each comprisingapluralityv of superposed tiers each adapted to receive` l articles fromthe elevator, a driving means for the elevator, a mechanism forcontrolling operadependently controlling the operations of said conveyermeans whereby when the elevator has been moved to a predeterminedelevation, said conveyer means may be selectively operated to dischargean article from the elevator into a selected tier of one of saidreceiving means.

l0. A transfer unit comprising a frame having an elevator mountedtherein, a plurality of receiving means adjacent to said unit eachcomprising a plurality of superposed tiers adapted to receive articlesfrom the elevator, a driving means for the elevator, a mechanism forcontrolling operatiort of said driving means and wnereby the elevatormay be moved to a selected tier of one of said receiving means,conveyerv belts on the elevator disposed lengthwise thereof, anindependent drive for said belts whereby they may be operated todischarge articles from the elevator into a selected tier of one of saidreceiving means, other conveyer means on the elevator, said conveyerbelts normally being positioned to receive articles delivered onto theelevator, and fluid-operated means for actuating said conveyer belts tocause an article supported thereon to be transferred onto said otherconveyer means whereby saidv article may be laterally discharged fromthe elevator.

11.- A transfer unit comprising a frame having an elevator mountedtherein, means for feeding articles to the elevator, a motor for raisingand lowering said elevator, an electric circuit for the motor comprisingtwo main switches adapted to control current flow therethrough, areceiving means positioned at one end of said elevator and a secondreceiving means positioned at one side thereof, each of said receivingmeans comprising a plurality of superposed tiers each adapted to receivearticles from said elevator, a control mechanism for said motorcomprising a plurality of selector switches, one for each tier of saidreceiving means, and each connected with said main switches, meanselectrically connected with said selector switches whereby when one ofsaid selector switches is actuated, one of said main switches will beclosed to cause the motor to operate to move the elevatorvto theselected tier of one of said receiving means, corresponding to saidactuated selector switch, means for automatically opening said closedmain switch when the elevator reaches the selected tier,

whereby the elevator will come to rest, a plurality of conveyer belts onthe elevator adapted to receive an article from said feeding means andcapable of discharging an article from the elevator into a selected tierof the receiving means stationed at the end of the elevator, a pluralityof conveyer rollers mounted between said belts and normally out ofengagement with an article supported thereon, said conveyer rollersbeing adapted to laterally discharge an article from the elevator into aselected tier of the receiving means stationed at the side of theelevator, and. independent means for controlling operation of said beltsand said rollers, whereby an article may be discharged from the elevatorinto a selected tier of one of said receiving means.

12. A transfer unit comprisinga supporting frame having an elevatormounted therein, a motor for raising and lowering the elevator, aconveyer for feeding articles onto the elevator having an independentmotor, a plurality of conveyer belts on the elevator normally positionedto receive articles from said feeding conveyer, said belts being adaptedto discharge articles from the elevator at one end thereof, a pluralityof conveyer rollers disposed lengthwise of the elevator between saidbelts and adapted to laterally discharge articles from the elevator,independent motors for said belts and conveyer rollers, fluidoperatedmeans for vertically moving said belts with respect to said conveyerrollers to thereby transfer an article from the belts onto said rollers,and independent control means for all of said motors whereby they may beoperated independently of one another to control the operation oi saidtransfer unit.

13. A transfer unit comprising a supporting frame having an elevatormounted therein, a motor for raising and lowering the elevator, aconveyer for feeding articles onto the elevator having an independentmotor, receiving means situated adjacent to said supporting frame andeach comprising a plurality of superposed tiers, each adapted to receivearticles from said elevator,` a plurality of conveyer` belts on theelevator normally positioned to receive articles from said feedingconveyer, said belts being adapted to discharge articles from theelevator at one end thereof, a plurality of conveyer rollers disposedlengthwise of the elevator between said belts and adapted to laterallydischarge articles from the elevator, independent motors for said beltsand conveyer rollers, means for vertically moving said belts withrespect to said conveyer rollers whereby an article may be transferredfrom the belts onto said rollers, an operators station comprising aplurality of selector switches adapted to control operation of the motorfor raising and lowering the elevator, and whereby when one of saidselector switches is actuated, said motor will operate to move theelevator to a selected tier of one of said'receiving means, and othercontrol means at said station for independently controlling theoperation of said other motors.

14. A transfer unit adapted to receive flat sheets or boards from apress and selectively deliver said sheets to a plurality of superimposedtiers of a drying apparatus, said unit comprising an elevator, aplurality of power operated conveying means on the elevator selectivelyoperable to discharge articles therefrom in different directions, aplurality of motors for operating the elevator and said conveying means,an operators station, a control mechanism at said station forcontrolling the operations of )said motors. said mechanism including aplurality of selector switches, one for each tier of said dryingapparatus, and all of said motors and switches being electricallyconnected together whereby when the selector switch of a certain tier isactuated, the elevator will automatically move to said tier to deliveran article thereto, andindependent control means for said power operatedconveyer means.

15. In an apparatus for transferring flat composition sheets or boardsfrom a press to a drier comprising' a plurality of superimposed tiersadapted to receive said sheets, an elevator, operating means forvertically moving the elevator, a plurality of conveyer means on theelevator -whereby articles maybe ldischarged therefrom in differentdirections, means for feeding the sheets ontov the conveyer means of theelevator, drives for said conveyer means, an operators station, and aplurality of control elements located at said station and associatedwith said operating means and said drives, whereby animposed tiersadapted to selectively receive said sheets, an elevator comprising aplurality of conveying means having independent drives, one of saidconveying means being. mounted for relativevertical movement upon theelevator, whereby the sheets may be transferred from one conveyingImeans to the other, means for automatically interruptingtravelingmovement of the elevator .when it reaches a selected tier, and pressuremeans for vertically operating said movable conveylng means.

17. In an apparatus for transferring relatively large.. wet compositionsheets or boards from a press to a dryer -including a plurality ofsuperimposed tiers adapted to' selectively receive said sheets. anelevator comprising a plurality of conveying means arranged to dischargearticles from the elevator in different directions, pressure means forrelatively vertically moving one of said conveying means upon theelevator, whereby the sheets maybe transferred from one conveying meansto the other, means for interrupting traveling movement of the elevatorwhen it reaches a selected tier. and means for independentlycontrollingl said conveying means.

18. `In an apparatus for transferring relatively large wet compositionsheets or boards from a pressto a dryer, including a plurality of superimposed tiers adapted to selectively receive said sheets, an elevator, aplurality of conveying means 4on the elevator, one of said conveyinglmeans being mounted for; relative vertical movementA upon the elevator,whereby the sheets may be transferred from one conveying means to theother., means for automatically interrupting trav-l eling movement ofthe elevator when it reaches a selected tir, means for verticallyoperating said movable 'conveying means, and .a control mechanism forthe elevator and said conveying.

means, comprisingia plurality o f motors and interconnected selectorswitches, and an operators station having a plurality of controlelements associated therewith and whereby said motorsand switches may bese ectively and independently operated to thereby ontrol the operationof the entire apparatus from a given point.

19. In an apparatus of the class described, an elevator, operating meansfor the elevator, means for feeding articles thereto, conveyer means onthe elevator adapted to support and convey arti- .cles in a directionlengthwise thereof, a second4 conveyer means on the 'elevator adapted tosupport and convey articles in a direction crosswlse thereof. andpower-operated means for imparting relative vertical movement to one ofsaid conveyer means to' thereby transfer an article from .one onveyermeans to the other.

.f `)21). In an apparatus of the class described, an e vator, operatingmeans therefor, means for eeding'articles thereto, conveyer elements onthe elevator movable in the direction of movement of articles fedthereto and adapted to receive articles from said feeding means, meansfor driving said conveyer elements, a. plurality of rollerslongitudinally disposed between said elements and adapted for constantrotation, said rollers normally being positioned below ,the upperportions of the conveyer elements, and power-operated means forrelatively lowering said conveyer elements whereby an article supportedthereon will be transferred onto said rollers to be laterallyldischarged from the elevator. 21. In an apparatus of the classdescribed, an

vation, and power-operated means for causing an article to betransferred from said conveyer elements onto said discharging means tothereby laterally discharge the article from the elevator at apredetermined elevation.

22. In an apparatus of the classfdescribed, an elevator, operatingmeanstherefona plurality of elevations adapted to receive articles fromsaid elevator, means for stoppingthe elevator at a selectedelevation,means for feeding articles to the elevator, conveyer elements on theelevator lengthwise thereof and adapted to reoeive articles from saidlfeeding means, means for rendering said conveyer elements ineffectiveto convey articles, when an article is delivered onto the elevator, aplurality of longitudinally extending conveyer rollers arranged betweensaid conveyer elements and normally out of engagement with an articlesupported thereon, and means whereby said conveyer elements may beactuated to cause an article supported thereonto be transferred directlyonto said conveyer rollers, when y the elevator comes to rest at aselected station,

whereby the article. may be laterally discharged from the elevator atsaid selected elevation.

23. In an apparatus of the class described, an

elevator, operating means therefor, a plurality of elevations adapted to--receive articles from said elevator, means for stopping the elevatorata selected elevation, means for feeding articles to the elevator, aplurality of'conveyer elements on the elevator disposed lengthwisethereof and adapted toL receive articles from said feeding means, meansfor renderingsaid conveyer elements ineifective to convey articles, whenan article is delivered onto the elevator, a plurality of longitudinallyextending `jconveyer rollers arranged between said conveyer elements andnormally out of engagement with an article supported thereon, means forconstantly rotating said rollers, and means for lowering said conveyerelements, when the elevator'comes torest. at a selected elevation.whereby an article supported thereon is ytransferred onto said conveyervator at said selected elevation.

